Cleaning Sealed Cork Floors

Cork flooring manufacturers usually apply a coat of sealant at the factory but this finish is often very thin and wears away over time.

Cleaning sealed cork floors.

It s important to regularly sweep and dust cork floors. Cork floors have become popular as homeowners look for earth friendly materials from sustainable sources. Rinse off the cleaning solution or you might see streaks or a soapy film when the floor is dry. Steam cleaning is a moisture intensive procedure and isn t a good option for cleaning cork flooring.

Traditional cork flooring has a warm natural look that works best in spaces with an informal casual decor. Here s how to clean cork floors. A cork floor can be cleaned once a month using a dry or damp mop method. Today s cork flooring can now be used almost anywhere provided it is kept well sealed.

However newer manufacturing techniques have created cork floors that closely resemble hardwood marble or even concrete. Cork flooring available in a variety of interesting colors and textures has a rich earthy appearance. Cork comes from the bark of an oak tree and it s just as sensitive to moisture as wood. When it comes to cork floors always use a soft bristled broom to remove dirt and debris.

Use a soft mop to wash the floor with store bought cleansers soap and water or your solution of water vinegar and soap. Fill a bucket with warm water and add a little dish soap or neutral chemical cleaner. Cleaning cork tile floors. Avoid ammonia based or harsh abrasive chemical cleaners.

Use a ph balanced wood or cork cleaning agent diluted in water. The cork used in floors is the same type of cork that comes in a wine bottle. For a natural cork cleaning agent create a solution of four parts vinegar to one part. This is also the first step in any floor cleaning process.

Cork floors should be sealed yearly or whenever the color. It s a durable material as tough as hardwood and laminate but like all floors requires periodic cleaning and sealing. Never immerse the surface of the floor in water to clean it. Good quality floor sealers last for at least a couple of years after which you will have to apply a new coating of sealer however just because you have a sealed concrete floor does not mean that cleaning is no longer necessary.

Despite its durable nature concrete floors still need further protection floor sealers protect concrete from exposure to moisture and thereby prolong its lifespan. When it comes to maintenance cork flooring is easily kept in clean tip top shape much the same way as tile or wood.